[Overview]
- Basically it is a 5th gen version of the ocasionally seen Drummer Charizard on 3rd gen.
- With the addition of Darmanitan, the game gets a brand new drummer sweeper. Slower than Charizard, but it is compensated with higher base attack,better movepool, and 2x weakness to Stealth Rock (against 4x weakness of Charizard).
[SET]
Darmanitan (M) @ Salac Berry
Trait: Sheer ForceDarmanitan (M) @ Salac Berry
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk) / Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Substitute
- Belly Drum
- Fire Punch
- Earthquake\Rock Slide\Superpower
[SET COMMENTS]
- The idea is to send Darmanitan against everything it forces switching out, like grass and type pokemon or everything Darmanitan could OHKO if it had Flare Blitz (scarf set is one the standard ones). By using Susbtitute, you gain the opportunity to go for Belly Drum and get +1 Speed boost and the power to outspeed any non-scarfer or below 95 base speed scarfer.
- 101 substitute is important here.
- Max speed is important to outspeed below 95 base speed scarfers, but 164 EVs in speed is enough to take down non-scarfers with adamant nature. Memento users like Whimiscott are good partners since they help Darmanitan to force the opponent to switch out. This set is more recommented mid-late game after checking if there is some threat like priority moves or Sturdy and the possibility of kill the entire party of the opponent; but early game may still work against unprepared teams.
- If hit by Stealth Rock, Darmanitan has still enough conditions to perform a substitution and drumming afterwards.
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
- Dangerous in UU, but may also be in OU on skilled hands. Just send Darmanitan against those Ferrothorns. Can be effective even against rain teams, since +6 attack and sheerforce has the pottential to sweep eveything, even if resisted x2. Not very effective against sand teams because of HP drop, but still usable againt them.
[Other Options]
- There aren´t any. Suggestions?
[Checks and Counters]
- Fake out,priority moves and sturdy can really dissapoint an attempt of sweeping if Darmanitan is not used at right time of the match.
- Entry hazard cripples Darmanitan capabilities of standing up over the turns, or even performing a Belly Drum.
- Rotom-H, Porygon2, Slowbro, Suicune, Swampert with some decent good EV bulk distribution may resist +6, but they will always be 2KOed. This should be calculated.